Trump speaks on racist Charlottesville rally

The President condemned the KKK, neo-Nazis and white supremacists as 'criminals and thugs,' and said 'racism is evil.'

14/08/2017 04:57 PM

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IN THE HOT SEAT: Donald Trump

PRESIDENT DONALD Trump has made a statement regarding the Charlottesville violence and denounced white supremacists, neo-Nazis and the KKK as un-American and promised swift justice against those responsible for the death of a young woman in Charlottesville, Virginia.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence. It has no place in America,” Trump said on Monday (August 14) at the White House.

“Racism is evil, and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans.”

America is based on the idea that all people are created equal, under law and under the Constitution, Trump said, and “those who spread violence in the name of bigotry strike at the very core of America.”

His comments come two days after the Charlottesville white nationalist rally, which saw one woman killed and 30 injured.

Celebrities including Ava Duvernay and Zendaya spoke out about the atrocities taking place in Charlottesville, with Zendaya saying:

"I really don't know what to say...but this is terrorism. This is America TODAY...not 40 years ago, and your president is silent. Disgusting."